Modifications/Upgrades: 1/32 Revell Bristol Beaufighter!!

[Artful69]

Ever wanted to modify a Bristol Beaufighter in your stash?

Ever wanted to get your hands on some quality resin conversion parts for one?

Ever thought about buying one of the kits “If only” there were a decent, QUALITY range of AM parts available?

 

Ok …

 

What this thread is NOT about:

 

• Lessons or instructions about the art of ‘real modeling’ … Scratch builders, with all due respect to your talent, this post is probably not for you.
• Referal to completed builds in other threads … or show-n-tell about what someone else has already put together.
• Reference to the old ‘Vac form’ stuff or AM already available out there – most of us wanting to build the Beau’ know that it exists already – if you can find it to get your hands on and if you are willing to pay the, oftimes, extortionate pricing that it demands (especially for what it is!).

 

What this thread is about:

 

In short and to the point (and I want to keep it that way!!) … it is about suggestions … for the need for resin, PE and other associated AM out there in order to alter (for later Mks) or otherwise dress this bird up to make it look the part …

 

Just as an example: I have the basic kit in the stash … I would like to alter it somewhat to present a D-Day (or post D-Day) variant complete with D-Day stripes, underwing rockets, angled stabilisers and elevators, altered canopies (especially the observers rearward one!), cockpit detail, undercarriage and wheel detail … etc.

 

So … with consideration to the above:

 

• List the 6 (ONLY 6) main areas you would like to see detailed AM for on the market
• The REALISTIC retail pricing that you would be both expecting AND willing to pay for those items (individually!)

 

NOTE: I DO have something in mind … or at least someone else does - who has the talent and has been thinking about this subject for a while now … so please don’t bother referring in your posts to anyone else you might know who has something in the wind – just yet!! … time for all of that later!! … At the moment I am just gathering raw data!

 

Please take the time to make a quick list of what YOU feel are the most important items to YOU.

 

Again: … an example of format for answers:

 

• Rear tailplane conversion: (Stab’s/Elevators) … (your detail suggestions) … and $$$
• Canopies (front … and rear – armament version) … (again, your suggestions) … and $$$
• ...Tyres … undercarriage … etc

 

Please, please, PLEASE … stay within the guidelines … any further questions or comments, feel free to PM me!!

 

Regards

Rog

[Wingco57]

Hi Rog,

Interesting but complicated question.

what the Revell Beau really need is everything you can throw at it. The basic airframe is good

But a full interior is needed, canopies ( early framed, and later standard version) . The

Props could do with replacement, the wheelwells too. The dihedral tailplane. Rocket blast shields.

The list is long.

About the cost, that depends on who is willing to market these things, but it's a good idea

To " feel " if there is demand for it.

Cheers

Cees

[Artful69]

Hi Rog,

Interesting but complicated question.

what the Revell Beau really need is everything you can throw at it. The basic airframe is good

But a full interior is needed, canopies ( early framed, and later standard version) . The

Props could do with replacement, the wheelwells too. The dihedral tailplane. Rocket blast shields.

The list is long.

About the cost, that depends on who is willing to market these things, but it's a good idea

To " feel " if there is demand for it.

Cheers

Cees

 

Cees ... Thankyou! ... I know this is a complicated question - believe me!! ... What we all really need is a new tool in either resin or IM ... but since that seems to be in the never-never land somewhere, what we're stuck with is the Revell kit ...

 

But I feel that by keeping the responses limited to a certain format will go a long way to simplify ideas ... Who knows - once the 'small' bits are started, it may very well end up like the MDC Typhoon?? (at a much later stage) ... but the main issue is: what is possible now in scope and practicallity? ... so with that in mind, and the original post ...

 

Could you please list your top six simplified items (in no particular order) ... and the retail prices you would expect for said items?

 

That would help ...

 

Thanks and kind regards,

Rog

[Wingco57]

Rog,

I already mentioned them in my previous post.

About cost, the Beau can be had for a reasonable price at modelshows or ebay, this could give room

Financially for aftermarket items.

But for instance if 30 pounds were asked for an interior then it should really be of high quality in my view.

Cees

[CodyK9]

Really would like to get conversion kits for Revell's Bristol Beaufighter to Beaufort and Blenheim in 1/32. Seems like it wouldn't take too much to develop a resin kit. There's a lot of Revell Beaufighter kits out there.

 

[Wingco57]

Hi Cody,

 

Welcome to LSM.

That's an interesting idea, especially the Beaufort bit. The Beau was developed from that aircraft. Blenheim would

be a bit more difficult as the wingshape differs. But it has been one once as far as I know.

But it would be great to be able to build those types.

 

Could you introduce yourself?

Cheers
Cees

[youngtiger1]

I am no expert of this subject, but I have the Mk. IF that I like to build soon. I always thought it looked cool with those invasion stripes. So Rog since you like to build one in similar scheme (D-day strips) why don't you tell us or me what is required to make the old revell kit into post D-day bird?

 

Personally, I won't bother with full interior. You won't hardly see any once fuselage is closed up.

Cockpit might be good, but detail engine and open panel cowling is better. And please, don't go the Aires route with their P-47 engine...although, it's a great piece but price of $75+ is bit ridiculous. Wheel well...maybe, but detail weapons will be better. Well, I'm all ears...

 

 

Mike

[Wingco57]

A good start would be, quickboost porcupine exhausts, angled tailplane and propellers. Not to mention

Corrected canopies.

Cees

[ajaycad]

I'm assuming Artful that your looking at a TFX in RAF Coastal Command colours. Recently I finished a Tamiya 1/48 example in 404 Sqdn RCAF stationed in Cornwall UK at the time of the D Day landings. I really wanted to build the Revell 1/32 example but on opening the box found the kit a bit too basic in detail, so chose the Tamiya route. that's not to say that the Revell kit can't be built into a fine model by someone with better scratch building skills than mine !!
Here is my wish list if I did consider the Revell option.
1. Resin cockpit and rear gunners station (not the whole cabin) - around 20 to 30 GBP
2. Undercarriage bays and oleos - 20 GBP
3. Resin 3" RP,s with the High Explosive heads not the AP heads. -10 to 15 GBP
4. Revised dihedral tail planes - 10 to 15 GBP
5. Revised front and rear canopies - 10 GBP
6. Resin Bristol Hercules engine(s) - 20 GBP

I've no idea how much these items would cost to produce, but my quotes are based on what I would be willing to pay for those items. I believe that resin wheels are already available in 1/32.

Hope this helps......

[General]

A conversion to the Beaufort would be a whole lot more work.

Certainly, the Beaufighter was developed from it. Due to the revised prop, though, the engine was mid-mounted. The Beaufort engine ws shoulder-mount.

 

 

 

FYI.

 

Regards

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all

 I know that this is an old thread, but I'm interested in trying this on for size. I would like to do a FAA coastal command plane in the extra dark sea grey upper/ sky lower with invasion stripes, but I'm unsure which variant I need to do. I'm thinking a MK 1C or MK V1C. 

  I know that Model Monkey has a cockpit kit ($60.00)and tail planes ($48.00). There are some decals and a stencil set (unsure of price). Victor makes 1/32 resin Hercules engines ($33.00 ea).

 Items still needed [guesstimated prices] :

1) correct canopy front & rear. ($15 - 30)

2) a good set of resin wheels and tires. ($15 -20)

3) machine guns ($30 - 35) 20mm cannon barrels ($18.50)

4) rear gunner/observer kit. ($40 - 60)

 Anything else I'm not sure about as I  am not that familiar with this aircraft.

Ron G